Tooth-cleaning device



E. LOEWENHERZ.

TOOTH CLEANING DEVICE.

APPuATIoN FILED APR.' 19, wir.

1,366,092, Patented Jn. 18,1921;

elimlmululmsm;

INVENTOR.

EMANEL LOEWENIIERZ, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TOOTH-CLEANING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 18, 1921.

kApplication filed April 19, 1917. Serial` No. 163,276.

/o all iii/7mm t 'may concern.'

Be it linoivn that l, livtANUnL Loniv-ENn nuns, a subject ci the l-lmperor ot Austria, reeelding,v at Chicago, in the county ot @ook and titate ot illinois,V have invented a new and useful Tooth-Cleaning Device, ot which the 'following is a specification.

'the invention relates to improvementsin tooth cleaning devices and especially to im proveniente in that class oi. devices in which a removable cleaning.;` agent, like apad, is insorted into a holder, and removed therefrom arifter its use.

in object of the .invention is to provide .in conihinatiion With. a holder attached to a handle, a cleaner', preferably in the iorm of a pad inclosed in an envelop, this cleaner beingr secured in the device in such manner that .its envelop or aportion ot the envelop projecting from the holder may readily he removed. n L

.linothor object ot the invention is to provide in combination with the holder, ineens tor scoring, indenting or perforating the envelop along cer .in lines., ivhereatter portions otthe envelop ina readily he torn oit.

.notherobjeet of the invention'is to provioe in combination `with a cleaning` psd, au envelop fior the'same, and means tor indicating plainly those portions near the longitudinel central anis ot the pad along; which the pad is'to he secured Within the holder. .ily this ineens the user ot the device will be assured that pertorations provided in the support ot envelop will come into engagement with ad ditional devices ,tor providioip,` indentations or the like.

nother object oi the invention to proa holder adapted to engage vtivo outer surface portions ol: a cleaner, which has heen iolded oy this engagement, and adapted. to force certain portions oit the cleaner toward other portions thereof., which are also engaged by a holdingr member, this second holding member beingv pivotally disposed. with respect to that part ot the device on which the outer holding elements are arranged.

Vllhe invention also provides means toi' relieving the pivot pin on which the second lioldiup; member is mounted` ot any excessive strain, and tor this purpose the invention contemplates on the second holding member the provision ot an extension adapted to receive that strain to which the said holding .member 4is subjected when a cleaner in the Yforni ot' a pa'd or the like is inserted into the device. f

Another object oit the invention is to provide in connection Withl the support for the riage and holding member, after the release has been initiated.

With these and other objects in view the invention is described in the following speciticationand the novel features thereof are more particularly pointed out in the claims appended thereto, reference being made in the speciiication to the accompanying drawing, Whereinm `Figure l is a top plan view ott the device 'shown at a'large scale.

Fig. 2 a sectional vieiv on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the device in full lines in partly open position, and in dotted. lines completely opened. y Fig. 3 is a similar section showing); the de vice in elo ed position.

' -ligffif is a section on line lull ot Fig. 3. ulitigi'. 5 is a section through the pivotal a' holding member, on line 5-5 ci llig. 3.

` lling. 6 is a transverse section on line (5MG 4. 9

oi 1 1g.

L). M 7 is a section Asimilar to the other transverse sections of lf'igs. Il, 5 and 6, showi ing,- a cleaner, in the form of a pad inclcsed in an envelop, introduced into the device, and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view partly in section of a cleaning pad.

The device comprises a handle 1 Which may be of oval or round cross section as indicated in Fig. 1 at 1, or Whichmay consist of a Hat bar as shown at 2 in Figs. 2 and 3, The front portion of this handle constitutes a support or head 3, which is fiat and which is preferably somewhat narrower than the handle. This support may have approximately the length of an ordinary tooth brush, but it is much flatter and is provided on the longitudinal. sides withmarginal guiding portions, consisting of grooves eut ber for the cleaner and consists of a iframe having side parts S and 9 which lare shaped in cross section so as to embrace the guiding portions l `and 5 of the support. Flanges 11 and 12 extend upwardly from the side .parts 8 and 9 in spaced and parallel relation to each other, adaptedto engage lateral surface portions of a cleaner 10. These upstanding flanges may be provided with corrugations 13, or with pin points 14 near the Y upper end for purposes to be described below.

The front portions of the side parts 8 and 9ct the carriage 6 are united by a strap 11, which extends over the top surface of' the support 3; the rear portions of the side parts are also united by a strap 12, the rear edgeof which is united with the rear edge oi' the sideparts 8 and 9 by a low upright flange 13. This rear portion or strap 12 is provided near its center with a cut out 141 extending from the front edee of the strap inwardly and having a slightly beveled rear edge 15,` the cut out being capable of receiv- -ing and lguiding a portion of a second or central holding` member 23.

They rear portion of the support 3 is slightly offset, terminating in a short tongue 17 of substantiallyrectangular cross section, whereby a shoulder 1S is formed near the front end of this tongue. The rear strap 12 has its lower surface spaced a distance from the upper edge o'f the tongue 17, this distance being approximately equal to the height of the shoulder. rlhis space between the upper strap 12 and the extension or tongue is utilized for receivingthe pivotal support as well as the rear end of the second holding member when the entire device is in closed position.

The sliding motion ofthe carriage with respect to the support 3 of the device may be limited by pins 19 which extend from the upper khorizontal portion 25 to the lower horizontal portion 26 of the guiding flange 8 or 9 of the carriage, and which in the movement of the carriage slide from one Aend wall 2O of a. cut out 21 in the guiding margin 01"' the support to the other end Wall 22.

The second .or companion holding inemb'er 23 is disposed `in the device for coperation with the first described holding` member, the carriage. This second holding' member 23 consists of a Small beam, pivotally and slidablysupported with respect to the head 3 and provided with upstanding holdingflanges 2e` which in the operative or closingposition of` the device arein opposilizer tion to the flanges of the first described holding` member. The upper edge of the flanges 2lV on the .second holdingmember may also be. corrugated, or may he equipped with prick points to .score and perforatethe material o1 the envelop for the cleaner. rlfhis second holding member is prorided with transv rse pivot pins 2H which are located in the space between the front portion of the upper strap 12 and the, underlying: horizontal portions of the flanges S and 9 which serve for guiding the carriage. lt is to be noticed that there are no special pivotbearings for these pins 2S and that they are freely rotatable in the space describet, requiring merely means for preventing sliding` motion olf these pins in torward or rearward direction with respect lo the support of the second holding member. The sliding motion of these pivot pm:l in rearward direction is prevented b v thev insertion of small b SO longitiulinallj.' into the interspace between the horizontal portions 2 and 2G of the guiding flansrjt :4.o carriage, and which may be held thei`- soldering, elampin; or in some other suit able way. A

The forward motion oi' the pivot pimy 2H in the suppo element of the :aewnd holding member and with respect hereto is prevented by a. transverse pin 3l rigidly secured in the carriage and er-Ltending in troni oit the pivot pins 2S 'from one flange il of the carriage to the other 'ilinge 9.

lit` will be seen that by this means` :i torward or rearward displacement ot the pivot pins S on which the central holdin;` inem-- bei' 23 is adapted lo swing` in the earriagife is pr of said holding member, however. dered posy 'ble. l that no special he are necessary for the pivot pins. of thisl character would have. a tendency lo increase the friction, and to make the deriee is provided on its under surface. with corrugaions or teeth pins Bil or the like, to aid in prei-renting` disphu'ement olf the cleaner held by said members. The main portion of the beam 23' provided with upstanding flanges 2li is oiiiiet from the portion 8l on which the pivot pins 2S are, mounted, this oil-."set beine` due to a short :ingnlar intermediate portion etending from the pivot pins to the raid flan'jed portion et the holding' member.

This holding member 'turthcrmore is provided with a rearward extension or tail piece 236 of' sui'licient width to swinelnitween the two projecting elements which prevent rearward motion ot' the pivct pins This rear extension 3G is of suliicient thiclne: r; to lit loosely into the intcrspace betr-:een the evented that "free oscillating movement- Htl Htl

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liange portions 26 ofthe carriage and the lower surface of strap 12, or, when the carriage is in locked position to lit between the projecting tongue 17 on the support 3 and the lower surface of the strap 12.

The rear portion of this tail extension 36 :is slightly thicker than the front portion oi the same, so that by the motion of the carriage into locking position this thickcned portion 37 of the tail extension 36 will come into clamping contact with the upper surface ot the tongue 17 on the support 3, whereby the thickened portion acts as a wedge and locks the central holding member 23 in substantially horizontal position. l'n this position of saidholding member the lower surface provided with pin points 33 or corrugations 32 is spaced from and parallel to the upper surface of the main part ot the support 3, Fig. 3.

.fit the front end of this holding mem ber 23 is also provided a wedge shaped eX- tension 37 adapted for entrance into a socket 38 provided inthe adjacent portion 39 oi" the handle. The bottom surface of this socket is in a plane with the upper surtace of the front strap 11 on `which `the forward portion of the holding member 23 normally rests.

Upon insertion oi? a cleaner, as, for instance, a compressible pad between the support 3 and the holding members 6 and 23, certain portions of this cleaner 10 are conlined between the upstanding {ianges 11', 12 and 24C of the holding members 6,23 and the support The strain which would be `exerted thereby` upon the pivots 28 and which has a tendency to forcethe holding member 423 upwardly, is absorbed by the tail extension 36 which is then wedged between the lower surface oi' the rear strap and the support 3, so that the pivot support ol: the holding member 23 is relieved` of any strain. Upon" insertion of a pad and upon motion et the holding member 23 into locking position, the elasticity of the cleaner portion held `between the several flanges will also have a tendency to force the entire holding member 23 upwardly away from the support 3 and the extension or tongue 37 of the holder will be pressed against the top wall of the socket 38 into which the tongue has been inserted. This pressure will also have locking efect upon the holding member 23.

The wedge action of the tail extension 36 on the pivotal holding member 23 with respect to the rear strap 12 of the carriage will not have only the effect of pressing the said holding member 23 downwardly into engagement with the central portion of the cleaner 10, but it will also have a tendency oi." .locking the other holding member,

namely, the carriage 6 against longitudi-` nal displacement on the support 3, avoid- -memberin operative position. f

ing thereby the accidental shifting of the `holding member 6 when the cleaning de vice is in use.

In order to maintain the cleaner, preterably in the form of a pad 10 in proper position and to facilitate the localizing of the same, the pad and preferably also the en velop 4l for the same are provided with suitable notches l2 at opposite ends o'l the longitudinal axis of the pad, these notches being placed underneath the beam 23 when. the pad is inserted in the device. The pad 10 is advisably made of absorbent material and may be impregnated or saturated with a suitable mouthwash, paste or the like beiore the envelop is applied; the envelop will then serve 'for maintaining the cleaner in sanitary aseptic condition until it is used, and will prevent contamination of the material while it is being inserted in the device. Tie envelop 41 of the `pad is provided with perforations 42 on opposite sur faces and at equal distances from the central axis, the distance ot these lines of perforations or scorings having been selected so` that these perforations will come into opposition with the pricks or corrugations onthe flanges of the holding member 6, 23.

These periforations of the envelop theretore constitute means for :facilitating the re moval of the envelop on a predetermined line and additional Ineansare `formed on the holders for facilitating this removal.

` l claim:`

1. A tooth cleaning device, comprising in confibination a stationary support, a hold ing member movable thereon, a companion holding member movable with frespect to said first named holding member and to the support, means on said support and on the lirstnamed holding member `for locking the second holding `member in operative position.' f

2. A tooth cleaning device, comprising in combination a stationary support, a holding member slide-ble thereon, a companion holding 'iember slidable with respect to said support and oscillatable with respect to said first named holding member, means on said. support and on" the .first named` holding member for locking the second holding 3. A tooth cleaning device, comprising in combination a stationary support, a holt ing member movable thereon, a companion holding member movable with respect to said first named holding member and to the support, and locking meansfor said second holding member, said locking means being disposed on said support and the lirst named holding member and being adapted to secure said second holding member in operative position upon movement of said second holding member with respect to said first holding member and upon movement oi.

`both of said holding members in a predetermined direction With respect to said support. K

4. A tooth cleaning device, comprising in combination a stationary support, a holding member movable thereon, a companion holding member movable With respect to said first namedholding member and to the support, means on said support and the first named holding member for locking said second holding member in operative posiltion and means on said second holding member for holding the first named holding member in operative position with respect to said support.V

Y 5.l A tooth cleaning device, comprising in combination astationary support, a holding member thereon, a second holding member 'slidable and oscillatable with respect to said support, means on said support and the iirst holding member for locking the second Vholding member in operative position upon movementl of said holding member With re- Y"spect to' said support in predetermined direction.

6; Atooth Vcleaning device, comprising m QCOmbination a stationary support, a holding member thereon, a second holding member' slidable and oscillatable With respect to said support, means on said support and first holding member for locking the second holding member in operative position, and means on said second holding member for holding the iirst named holding member in supp `ing member-in operative position upon oscillatory and slidingmovement of said second holding member'with respect to said ort. V f 8. A tooth cleaning device, comprising a stationary support, a holding member movable thereon, a second holding member niovable With respect to said iirst named holding member and the support, means on the support for limiting the movements oi; said holding members, means operative upon sliding movement ot said iirst named holding member in a predetermined direction With respect to the support i`or locking the. first named holding member in operative position with respect to the support, and means for holding the second named holding member in operative relation with respect to said first named holding member and to said support.

9. A tooth cleaning device, comprising in combination a support, a holding member, a second holding member adapted for eooperation with the first named holding member, said second holding member being slidable and oscillatable with respect to said support and being provided with an extension, and said support being provided with a. socket adapted to receive said extension 'for locking said second holding member, after pivotal and sliding movement in a predetermined direction, in operative position with respeit to said support.

l0. A tooth cleaning device, comprising a support, a ca 1riage slidable on the support, a holding beam pivoted on the slidable calriage, the support having a socket for receiving one end of the holding beam, means movable With the carriage i'or preventing displacement ot' the pivot ot the beam on the carriage, and means on said beam for holding the carriage in locked relation with respect to the support.

l1. A tooth cleaning devine, comprising a stationary support, a carriage slidable thereon, a longitudinal holding beam pivoted to said carriage, the support having a socket for receiving one end oi said holding beam, a Wedge extension on the holding beam, a tongue on the support, and a strap on said carriage adapted for coperation Withthe Wedge extension to force said extension into locking engagement with the tongue of the support.

Chicago,- Illinois, Aprilv 16th, 1917.

EMANU EL LOEVVEN HERZ. 

